Google’s decision to consolidate all of the data it collects from all of us has the internet spooked. After US Congress decided to knit a brow in the debate, Google wrote up this official response. Read its self-defence case here.
The congressional letter, which we should consider directed at ourselves as much as any government official, sticks to the standard Google line: We’re tracking you more efficiently to “improve your experience”. Whether or not you buy that won’t change Google’s stance on it. Yes, they’re making it easier to create a comprehensive profile of who you are online. Yes, you can opt out of some of of it. Yes, you’re free to go use Bing if you’d like. Yes, the idea of Google using your YouTube searches to serve better-customised ads is creepy.
There’s nothing revelatory here, but this is Google’s broadest Well, actually response in the entire matter.
[Google]
Image: AP